The respected author and essayist is best known for his many books highlighting his ability to take pop music and it's icons and place it all in a broader social political context. At 7 p.m. on Wednesday night at the downtown branch of the Akron Public Library, Marcus whose catalog includes critically acclaimed books as Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock 'n' Roll Music and "Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century" and "Dead Elvis: A Chronicle of a Cultural Obsession" mix scholarly and interesting examinations of pop music, pop culture and even Western Culture are sure to spur conversation and healthy debate among music fans and anyone interested in how "entertainment" fits affects and is affected by our national psyche.

Yeah, they're name may be goofy but they do a nice version of the Black Keys Tighten Up From the press release

Says Jingle Punks founder Jared Gutstadt: "Itâs a simple conceptâ¦ We took songs from the American Hipster songbook (MGMT, Strokes, White Stripes) and re-imagined them as arrangements for a civilized dinner party as hosted by the transitioning adult hipster. Introducing â The Jingle Punks Hipster Orchestra playing our favorite âhipster approvedâ songs washed through the Mark Mothersbaugh filter."

Here' some information about R. Kelly's upcoming show in Cleveland. Last time I saw him many years ago on the ill-fated "Best of Both Worlds Tour" with Jay-Z, women in the audience were literally holding up their small children seemingly as offerings to him.

-WHAT? You wonder why someone would have their 5-9 year old child out at a loud concert at 11 p.m? -EH? You say it's gross that someone would present their single digit aged daughter to a man who videotaped himself having sex with a child?

With a brand new rockin' chart topping album Wasting Light out and yet another catchy single in "Rope," Dave Grohl and the boys will be returning to Cleveland in the Fall with Rise Against and the wonderfully named Mariachi el Bronx.

I saw the Foo Fighters with Weezer at the Wolstein Center several years ago and it was a fine rock n' roll show with Grohl as your rock star guide.

The Jennifer Hudson show planned for July 20th at State Theatre at PlayhouseSquare has beenpostponed to a later date.Refunds will be available at the original point of purchase. Those who purchased tickets will be sent a password for a special pre-sale that will take place once the new date is announced.

Looking for a public forum to state your case for/against hip hop?Well, Ismail Al-Amin one of the members of Keepers of the Art, the local crew of friends who organize, produce and host the Hip Hop showcase at Lock 3 Live and the Keeper's Lounge series at The stage door at E.J. Thomas Hall, will give you an opportunity to share your thoughts.

Come June 28, The Black Keys can say there shared a record with rock legends Paul McCartney and Lou Reed (who Pat Carney told me was as much of a jerk in person as his legend suggests) beloved indie rockers including My Morning Jacket, rapper/singer Cee-Lo and um....Fiona Apple when the tribute album Rave On Buddy Holly' is released.